Hello all,

I'm planing on buying a new computer for FSX (mostly) and would like some help from you. I have two alternatives I'm thinking about:

 

• ASUS GeForce GTX TITAN 6GB PhysX CUDA PCI-Express 3.0, GDDR5, DL-DVI-I, DL-DVI-D, HDMI, DisplayPort, 837MHz, 384bit
• ASUS Z87-DELUXE/DUAL, Socket-1150 ATX, DDR3, Z87, 3xPCIe-x16,SLI/CFX, VGA,DVI,HDMI, 2xGbLAN,WiFi,BT, 2xTB, Haswell
• CM Storm Trooper Gaming Big Tower Svart Fläktar: 2x 120mm Front, 1x 200mm Topp, 1x 140mm Bak, M/XL-ATX, USB3.0, Fönster
• Cooler Master Seidon 240M CPU Kylare 775/1150/1155/1156/1366, AM2(+)/AM3(+)/FM1,FM2, 600~2400 RPM, 19.17~86.15 CFM
• Corsair AX 1200W PSU ATX 12V V2.31, 80 Plus Gold, Modular, 6x 6+2-pin PCIe, 16x SATA
• Intel Core i7-4770K Processor Socket-LGA1150, Quad Core, 3.5GHz, 8MB, 84W, HD4600, Boxed w/fan, Haswell
• 2x Intel® SSD 520 Series 240GB 2.5" SATA 6 Gb/s (SATA3.0), 550MB/520MB/s read/write, reseller box
• Kingston DDR3 HyperX Beast 32GB 2400MHz 4x8GB KIT CL11 HyperX Beast
• Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate EN OEM, 64bit, SP1
• Seagate Barracuda® 2TB SATA 6Gb/s (SATA 3.0), 64MB Cache, 7200RPM, 3.5"

and:

 

• ASUS GeForce GTX TITAN 6GB PhysX CUDA PCI-Express 3.0, GDDR5, DL-DVI-I, DL-DVI-D, HDMI, DisplayPort, 837MHz, 384bit
• ASUS RAMPAGE IV EXTREME, Socket-2011 E-ATX, X79, 8xDDR3, 5xPCIe(3.0)x16, CFX&SLI, SATA6Gb/s, USB 3.0, BT, OC-Key
• CM Storm Trooper Gaming Big Tower Svart Fläktar: 2x 120mm Front, 1x 200mm Topp, 1x 140mm Bak, M/XL-ATX, USB3.0, Fönster
• Cooler Master Seidon 240M CPU Kylare 775/1150/1155/1156/1366, AM2(+)/AM3(+)/FM1,FM2, 600~2400 RPM, 19.17~86.15 CFM
• Corsair AX 1200W PSU ATX 12V V2.31, 80 Plus Gold, Modular, 6x 6+2-pin PCIe, 16x SATA
• Intel Core-i7 4960X Extreme Socket-LGA2011, 6-Core, 3.6GHz, 15MB, 130W, Ivy Bridge-E, Boxed, No fan included
• 2x Intel® SSD 520 Series 240GB 2.5" SATA 6 Gb/s (SATA3.0), 550MB/520MB/s read/write, reseller box
• Kingston DDR3 HyperX Beast 32GB 2400MHz 4x8GB KIT CL11 HyperX Beast
• Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate EN OEM, 64bit, SP1
• Seagate Barracuda® 2TB SATA 6Gb/s (SATA 3.0), 64MB Cache, 7200RPM, 3.5"

(The difference is market in red)

 

Which one do you think would be best for FSX? Or should I maybe make some other changes for the ultimate FSX experience (for example 2xTitans in SLI)?

 

Thank you in advance!

Haswell will give you higher FPS for a lot lower price. Ivy Bridge-E will provide faster load times and the possibility to fly faster over photo scenery without it getting blurry, but at a lower FPS.

Unfortunately you can't get a CPU that is best on all of it. You have to pick. Which one to spend the money on is up to you.

 

Remember that there is the i7 4930K that will perform very similar to the 4960X for almost half the price if you go the IvyBridge-E route. There is also the GTX780 that is not far off the Titan for quite a lot less. But I get the feeling you are after performance for any price.

I'd go with the first one unless money is really no issue at all. As Saab says, Titan is overkill for FSX unless you plan to run many monitors, high res and high FSAA.

 

I'd also switch out the Asus for something else. Asus is boring and overrated IMO.

 

And unless you are doing mega graphic or video work, don't need the 32Gigs of ram. 16 is plenty for a gaming rig.

 

 

There is also the GTX780 that is not far off the Titan for quite a lot less.

 

+1 . The Titan is awesome indeed, but the 780 is VERY close and MUCH cheaper. No need for running SLI as FSX doesn't utilize SLI in any way.

 

 

 

I'd also switch out the Asus for something else. Asus is boring and overrated IMO.

 

 What does boring have to do with it? I've got a Asus ROG board in one of my PC's and a newer Gigabyte board in the other. Between the two I've been  far more impressed with the Asus in every aspect.

I'm planing on buying a new computer for FSX

 

Do yourself a huge favour and read both of these threads before buy anything:

http://www.simforums.com/forums/the-fsx-computer-system-the-bible-by-nickn_topic46211.html

 

http://www.simforums.com/forums/haswell-48ghz-on-air-building-a-haswell-system_topic46180.html

 

Don't like directing newbies to another forum but the above two links are the present day place to get you FSX education. Take or leave it!

Wow, this is not a easy choice. I thought that 4960X would be a better CPU for FSX, but FPS is impotent... If I want to run addon sceneries and textures, should I aloso go with 4770K or is 4960X better because of the loading time?

 

Also, here is the rig I have now:

 

ASUS Rampage III Extreme, X58

Intel i-960 @ 3.8

Kingston DDR3 HyperX 1600MHz 16Gb

ASUS EAH6990 graphic card

OCZ Vertex III, 160 Gb (For OS & Programs)

OCZ Vertex 450, 240 Gb (For FSX & Addons)

 

Do you think I will get significant better performance when switching to a new computer?

Which one do you think would be best for FSX? Or should I maybe make some other changes for the ultimate FSX experience (for example 2xTitans in SLI)?

 

654

For FSX, the first one, but really only marginally. I opted for the SB-E version of what you are looking at (except it's the half-priced 'K' version) to be better positioned for a new simulator, P3D v2 or beyond, XPlane 64 if it matures more, etc. It runs FSX really well, but marginally less than the Haswell box will with nice temps and low volts for a modest overclock of 4.4Ghz. The problem as we all know is--ALL high end approaches handle MOST of what FSX throws at it. Where it really matters (when you're chugging along sub 20 fps) you're not going to see that big of a difference. Example: if you set all you sliders to max, LOD 6.5, FTX 3D lights on fully, all the addon scenery, airports & T7's or NGX's, you're sitting there at the big terminal at 17 fps in my machine, and the Haswell gets 18-19 fps. Neither is acceptable to me. So, it's off to down-adjust something. By simply dialing back a setting or two, barely if at all noticeable, you're going to achieve the same outcome as w/ opting for the Haswell box over the IB-E box. I like the idea of much more potential, and certainly IB-E or SB-E w/ Titan has it. Will it be used? Hard to say, but I know I won't be upgrading if it is! I'm exceedingly happy w/ my performance & decision on parts. Thanks to Martin Wilby for his assistance in helping me find a good case & cpu cooler.

I would go with the first option with a few modifications.

 

1. Go for GTX 780 instead of Titan. Maybe pick up one that is already overclocked out of the box. Titan will offer very little improvement over GTX 780 but for a lot more cost.

 

2. Motherboard - Do you need the ASUS Z87 Deluxe/Dual? It's an expensive board. Do you actually need all the features of that board. You could probably save a bit of money here.

 

3. Power Supply - Corsair AX1200 is a great power supply, but it's expensive and do you really need all that power? Unless you plan on running 3 or 4 video cards down the track I personally think it's a waste. I'm running a similar system to what your thinking about with 2xGTX 780 on a Corsair AX860. You don't need all that power.

 

4. RAM - 2400Mhz is great, but that RAM is CL 11. Try get some with with CL 9 or 10. I had trouble finding some with CL9 but I'm in Australia so it may be more readily available where you are.

 

Which ever way you go, enjoy your new build! :biggrin:

Thank you all for your help! I've made some modifications to my "wishlist" and would like to hear your thoughts about it.

 

What I'm now thinking about:

 

• ASUS GeForce GTX TITAN 6GB (got a nice price for it)
• ASUS Z87-DELUXE, Socket-1150
• CM Storm Trooper Gaming Big Tower
• 4x Cooler Master Blade Master 120mm fans (to add in the case for better cooling)
• Cooler Master Eisberg 240L Prestige
• Corsair AX 1200W PSU (I want the possibility to add extra graphic cards)
• Intel Core i7-4770K 
• 3x Samsung 840 Pro 256GB
• Seagate Barracuda® 2TB
• Samsung DVD Writer, SH-224DB
• G.Skill TridentX DDR3 PC19200/2400MHz CL9 2x4GB (F3-2400C9D-8GTXD)
• Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate

Should be a nice rig for FSX (after overclocking). What do you think?

Looks good to me!

 

That's the RAM I wanted but couldn't find it here in Australia, had to settle for CL10.

 

I'd still swap out the Titan and the AX1200 if it were me (unless you are going for 3+ GPU's, which you won't be on that motherboard), but if you're getting good prices then go for it!

 

Also, just bear in mind the Z87 Deluxe will run 2 x GPU's at pcie3.0 8x not 16x. Just something to consider, but in practical use it makes barely any difference.

 

Something to consider also, have you thought about an external DVD Writer?

 

I did this for my build since I hardly ever use a DVD drive these days. Only on the odd occasion to install something, otherwise everything is just USB Flash Drives. Saves on some cabling inside your case too! Just a thought.

 

I brushed quickly through a review on that CPU cooler and it looks to be pretty decent. Comparable to a H110 which is what I'm using. Heat wise you should be fine up to 4.5-4.6Ghz when stress testing assuming you get a decent chip and don't need to push too much voltage, beyond that I think it will be a struggle.

 

Overall it sounds like a nice build. Good luck with the chip lottery!

 

Let us know how it all works out.

Looks good to me!

 

That's the RAM I wanted but couldn't find it here in Australia, had to settle for CL10.

 

I'd still swap out the Titan and the AX1200 if it were me (unless you are going for 3+ GPU's, which you won't be on that motherboard), but if you're getting good prices then go for it!

 

Also, just bear in mind the Z87 Deluxe will run 2 x GPU's at pcie3.0 8x not 16x. Just something to consider, but in practical use it makes barely any difference.

 

Something to consider also, have you thought about an external DVD Writer?

 

I did this for my build since I hardly ever use a DVD drive these days. Only on the odd occasion to install something, otherwise everything is just USB Flash Drives. Saves on some cabling inside your case too! Just a thought.

 

I brushed quickly through a review on that CPU cooler and it looks to be pretty decent. Comparable to a H110 which is what I'm using. Heat wise you should be fine up to 4.5-4.6Ghz when stress testing assuming you get a decent chip and don't need to push too much voltage, beyond that I think it will be a struggle.

 

Overall it sounds like a nice build. Good luck with the chip lottery!

 

Let us know how it all works out.

 

Thank you for your comment. I've forgot to add that I also want to swap z87 deluxe for maximus VI formula so I will be able to run 3 cards in sli (in the future).

The idea with an extern DVD is very nice, I think I will get the ASUS DVD Writer, SDRW-08D3S-U

That would be a nice board for tri-SLI.

 

I went with Samsung SE-208DB for my external DVD. Nice and small so I can just put it away out of site when not in use.

That would be a nice board for tri-SLI.

 

I went with Samsung SE-208DB for my external DVD. Nice and small so I can just put it away out of site when not in use.

 

I think so too.

Do you think I should go with G.Skill TridentX F3-2400C10D-16GTX or G.Skill TridentX F3-2400C10D-8GTX? The first one is 2x8GB CL9 and the second one is 2x4GB CL10...

 

The first one is more futureproof, but how will it perform when overclocking my PC? I've heard that more ram and higher latency is not good when you plan to overclock.

IMO drop the Titan, as the increase in performance compared with the GTX780 simply doesn't justify the price increase. (Talking FSX) Unless of course money is no problem...

IMO drop the Titan, as the increase in performance compared with the GTX780 simply doesn't justify the price increase. (Talking FSX) Unless of course money is no problem...

 

I understand, a lot of people are saying this to me and I understand but I've got a really nice price for the Titan.